Beer Forum

I just got a new keg-rator for my B-day!

I plan to use it to temp control my fermentation when I don't have a keg in it. I was looking at the B3 catalog. They have an analog and a digital controller. The price diff. is about $30.

Would the analog (cheaper) be ok or if I'm spending the money, should I just get the digital one?

Feeback ???

Thx !

The analog will be fine, a little less acurate and a slightly wider swing if I recall correctly but does the job just fine.
But if you have the $30 hanging around why not... digital is cooler!, and if you decide to go digital in the future you are saving money right!
BUB

Bub,

In a year or so will I still be happy w/the analog and be wishing I got the digital? If I can save $30 great. But........

If you had the $$, which one would be your choice?

I purchased the two stage controller from B3 a while back and used it this summer. It works great, you can really dial in the temperature with it. If it were me and the $30 wasn't a determining factor, I would get the digital.

BTW way my buddy picked up a Sanyo Kegerator ($600) at a yard sale for $100. We are planning the next brews to try it out!

JC

I've been using the analog controller for a couple of years now, 2 of them actually. The biggest problem with them is that the temperature scale on them is not very accurate, you need to have an independent way of monitoring the actual temperature. I happened to have around a couple of indoor/outdoor thermometers, so I just stick the outdoor probe inside with the controller probe.

If you have to go out and buy a separate thermometer for the analog controller, just buy the digital controller instead. Your cost savings will be eaten up by the cost of the thermometer.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

Get the digital. I have the analog and would so much rather have the digital. The major downside to the analog in my mind is having to be so damn careful with the copper coil. That thing is gas filled and if you bend it too much it will break and then your whole controller is useless.

Travis

Didn't check the price on B3 for the price but you can get an unwired digital for $60, plus another $6-$10 to wire it, or $75 wired.

On the other hand, I use an analog for my keggerator and it works fine. Wouldn't use on for fermenting though. And nothing against B2, I spend a lot of money with them, just can get the controllers cheaper elsewhere.

Here is another option I am looking at getting I want to get a couple for my kegerator and ferment fridge. I was actually thinking of cutting a hole in the door of my ferment fridge. Actually in the freezer door part and cut a hole in the top of the door and run the wires on top of the fridge. Yes these will need to be wired but these are cheap and have more features than the ranco and others out there. http://tinyurl.com/2vjhj6